Incidence of sperm‐associated immunoglobulins in infertile men with suspected autoimmunity to sperm

Abstract

Semen samples from 120 infertile men with suspected autoimmunity to sperm were investigated by a direct immunobead test (IBT). Fifty‐three (44%) of them had 10% or more motile sperm coated with anti‐IgG and/or anti‐IgA immunobeads. Both classes of immunoglobulins were found to be present in 88.7% of the antibody positive ejaculates. These sperm‐bound Igs were associated with sperm autoagglutination in 80% of the ejaculates and with decreased sperm penetration into cervical mucus in 97.6% of the cases. The close correlation found between the IBT results and the occurrence of antisperm antibodies in serum and in seminal plasma suggests that sperm‐bound Ig's are sperm‐specific antibodies. It is concluded that the direct IBT is not only a reliable screening test for sperm antibodies but is also a relevant test to determine whether these antibodies exert an influence on male fertility. Copyright © 1986, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved